Hounds Activate Four Collegiate Draftees

The Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse today announced they have activated four additional draftees from the class of 2013. Long stick midfielder Mason Poli (Bryant), midfielders Matt White (Virginia) and John Haus (Maryland) and defenseman Michael McCormack (Yale) will join Mike Sawyer (Loyola-Md) as rookies on the 25-man active roster.

The Hounds selected Poli (27th overall) and White (28th overall) back-to-back in the fourth round of the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft. In four seasons at Bryant, Poli amassed 44 goals and 17 assists for 61 career points. The 6'0", 225 pound long stick midfielder's shot has been clocked at 107mph. In addition, Poli collected 155 groundballs and caused 69 turnovers.

White, in 67 games at Virginia, put up 84 goals, including 29 his senior season, and tallied 50 assists for a total of 134 points. The middie finished his collegiate career with a .618 shot-on-goal percentage.

McCormack was the Hounds’ 51st overall selection in the draft. In four seasons at Yale, the defenseman racked up 201 groundballs and caused 107 turnovers. McCormack also contributed eight goals and 10 assists over his career.

Haus, who played lacrosse locally at Chapel Hill High School before going on to Maryland, originally was selected by the Nationals in the second round (15th overall) of this year’s draft. The Hounds acquired his rights through a trade in January. In 66 games at Maryland, Haus registered 60 goals and 43 assists for a total of 104 career points. Additionally, the midfielder collected 45 groundballs and had a .462 shot-on-goal percentage.

In order to activate the four rookie players, the Hounds had to make other adjustments to their 25-man active roster. The team has waived LSM Chris Cudmore, midfielder Kyle Wimer and attackman Shayne Jackson, as well as Practice Squad member Tony Mendes. In addition, attackman Carter Bender has been re-assigned to the Practice Squad.

The Hounds (1-3) have a bye this week in observance of the Memorial Day holiday, so the team will be back in action again on May 31 when they travel to New York to face the Lizards (2-2) in a Friday night contest. The Hounds then return home on June 8 to face the Ohio Machine (0-3) at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com